6 detained for not standing up during national anthem at Kerala film festival

At least six people were taken in custody on Monday for allegedly showing disrespect to the national anthem after they refused to stand up while it was being played at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala.

Six people were taken in custody for allegedly showing disrespect to the national anthem in Kerala.(AFP FIle Photo)

At least six people were taken in custody on Monday for allegedly showing disrespect to the national anthem after they refused to stand up while it was being played at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram.

The national anthem was being played at the Kannakakunnu Nishagandhi open air theatre at IFFK, police said.

The policemen, IFFK organisers and director of Chalachitra Academy Charmin Kamal -- who were present at the hall -- requested them to stand but they did not budge.

DGP Loknath Behra directed police to keep a watch all those who show disrespect to national anthem during the film festival.

He also directed the officials to take into custody those who insult the national anthem.

Earlier in the day, BJP’ youth Yuvamorcha filed a complaint seeking action against the people for not standing during the national anthem, as per the recent directive of the Supreme Court.

Seven people were also booked for allegedly “disrespecting the national anthem” at a cinema hall in Chennai, police said. The seven people, including a woman, allegedly took selfies inside Chennai’s Kasi Theatre on Sunday when the national anthem was being played, leading to an altercation with another group.